Touch tuning and dialing device



Feb. 27, 1951 G. J. VAN LENNEP TOUCH TUNING AND DIALING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 17, 1946 Feb. 27, 1951 .G. J. VAN LENNEP TOUCH TUNING AND DIALING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1946 FIG.

FIG. I2

GUSTAV J. VAN LENNEP awe/Mm Patented F eb. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICE TOUCH TUNING AND DIALING DEVICE Gustav J. van Lennep, Washington, D-.C.

Application (Fletcher 17, 1946,, SerialNm- 703,826

13 Claims. (01. 116-124.2)

This invention reiates to tuning devices, and more particularly to a device whereby an indicator or pointer may be rotated or moved to a position corresponding to a desired wavelength, frequency or other value and accurately adjusted with respect thereto by touch perception alone.

A primary object of this invention is the pro vision of an improved device of this character whereby a dial, as for example a radio dial, may be readily adjusted and tuned to a desired position, or station, with a minimum of effort and difficulty, utilizing the sense of touch alone, permitting use in the dark and by automobile drivers and blind persons; and facilitating accurate setting for fractional variations in posi-- tion.

An additional object of this invention is the use and positioning of markers in associationwith such a device facilitatin touch tuning thereof, which may be readily positioned in any desired position on the dial and fixed therein.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device whereby such markers are readily movable and removable with a minimum of short and dimculty, and whereby such markers have no. connection with the mecha nism of the set, such as has been hitherto the case, but serve merely as indications of the appropriate position or rotation it. is desired to reach on the dial field.

A further object of the invention is the:- pro;-

vision of improved and distinct marking devices which may be readily adjusted, set and. reset.

on the dial for a variety of stations and positions.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein any desired number of markers may be utilized, the markers being removable and replaceable as desired and positionable in any desired locality of the dial;

Among the advantages of my invention are its simplicity of design, low cost of construction,

smoothness and speed of operation, reliability and accuracy of performance, and adaptability to both circular and straight dials.

Other objects and advantages of this device reside in the combination of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all.

as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and shown in the accompanying drawingswherein are shown preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational' view of one form 2 of the device embodying features of the instant inventive concept.

Fig 2 is an enlarged section view taken substantially through the center line of the device of Fig. 1, and showing the same as applied to the panel of a radio set or thelike, and disclosing the application of the touch tuning pri-n ciple.

Fig. 3 is a, plan view of a constructional -ele-- ment of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantialls along the line" 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is aplan view or the dial of a modified and simplified .form of construction.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the center line of Fig. 5 and-showing thedevice of the instant invention as applied to a radio panel and: ins'ettherein.

Fig. 7 is a plan: view ofa still further modified formof construction.

device as applied to the outside of the panel of a radio set or the like, a diiferent positioned.- justment of one of the parts being indicated: by dotted lines.

Fig. 9 is a sectionalview disclosing a modified formof markers Fig. 10 is a plan view'of. astill further modified form of constructiona Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I I-I l of Fig. 1-0.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a further modified detail ofconstruction.

Similar. reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings- Referring now to the modification of Figs. 1-4

inclusive, there is generally indicated at ID a flange member provided with ears ll, and adapted to be secured as by screws #2 to the panel l3 of a radio set or the like. A casing M of generally cylindrical. configuration is-provided, including a raised surrounding rim i5 and. a-

semi-circular slot 1.6 The casing isprovided with ears l! adapted to be'secured by means of screws l8 to the flange l0 and exert pressure against said flange l-ll. A central bore surrounded by ahsleeve l9 secured to panel l3- extends through casing l4 and is aligned with asuitable aperture 2|) in the panel i3 and is adapted to accommodate a shaft 2i connected with the condenser of a radio in any desired manner.. A knob 22-- isposit'ioned on thewouter. extremity of the shaft, and provided with-a-relatively thin fingerlike pointer member 23 terminating in a point 24 at one extremity and designed to be engaged by the finger, the fingerlike pointer having a xzarwardly extending extremity 25 to facilitate rotation thereof.

Positioned within the casing iii are a plurality of members generally indicated at 26, each including a disk-like portion or plate 21, one extremity of which is provided with a portion 28 .(see Fig. 4) terminating in a horizontal portion 29 and an outwardly extending part 30 which part is adapted to extend through the previously mentioned slot i6 and terminates in a relatively sharp edge to serve as a marker and provide accurate tuning in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. A central aperture 8! permits passage of the shaft 2| through each member 26. The opposite end of each member 26 includes a tongue generally indicated at and including a downwardly extending portion 36 and outwardly extending portion 3? terminating in a ridge 38 which, with a descending portion 39 serves as a spring in such a manner as to bias and maintain individually or in its entirety the assembly in a predetermined position witlrrespect to the plate Iii. The spring pressure of portion 38 (Fig. 2) is calculated to allow free and independent rotation between the superimposed members 26 and afford stability to member 20. It is to be noted that the extremity of each member extends outwardly through a horizontal slot it! at the base of casing 24, and extends substantially past the circumference of the casing in a direction opposite slot 58. Washers 35 are interposed between each member 26 to facilitate free and independent movement thereof. This form of rotating and control element, while desirable, is not essential to the broad inventive concept and is given as an illustration of one simplified form of the device embodying quickly and easily adjustable marker, for which can be substituted various mechanical means of rotation and control. As indicated by dotted lines I30. in Fig. 2, my device can be installed either on the outside of the instrument panel I3 or built into the same.

From the foregoing the operation of this form of the device should now be readily understandable. In utilizing the same in conjunction with a, radio dial the specific location of certain stations is first accurately determined by tuning the device in the normal manner 'by'rotation of knob 22. When the location of the particular station is determined, one extremity of a member 26 is moved until the associated finger or marker 33 corresponds to or is in line with the exact position on the dial locating the station. Other stations are similarly located, it being understood that the number of members 25 within the casing may be readily varied as desired in conformity with the size of the casing. Spring member 33 will serve to hold the finger or marker 30 in position, particularly after the casing has boen tightened down by use of the screws 58 and thereby pressure applied on slot 38. Ohviously with dials showing wave lengths and demarcations in detail each member can be directly set in the appropriate positions of the dial and then secured in said position in the same manner.

After stations or positions on the dial have beensuitably selected: and the adjustable-finger I members Oldnfllkfils 'positionedthereon it will be'readily understood that the pointer 23 may be moved by the finger of an individual until the tip of his finger (see Fig. 2) engages or contacts the appropriate projecting marker 38 associated with the desired station near the high, low or central portion of the dial (and generally known to any broadcast listener) thereby bringing the pointer 23 into alinement with said marker. An alternative manner of using this device is for the operator to position one finger of the hand or thumb alongside of or parallel to the desired station marker to act as a stopper to the rotating pointer 23, and with another finger bring said pointer in line with the upstanding edge of said marker. Various other modes of operation will occur to users of the device, that illustrated in Fig. 11 for example, utilizing the tip of one finger as a lever fulcrumed on the adjustable marker 92 and rocking in one direction or the other to engage and adjust an end of the indicator 98 on the knob 25 to exact position for selecting the desired station. Thus a selected station may be picked up and accurately tuned with a minimum of difiiculty and effort, avoiding and eliminating the necessity and suspense of adjusting the dial back and forth until the apparent proper tone and position on the dial has been achieved. Obviously upon a change of city or location of stations the markers may be suitably adjusted by merely loosening the screws l8 and repositioning the markers 36.

A modified form of construction of this touch tuning device is disclosed in Fig. 5 wherein the dial consists of an arcuate disk 59 adapted to be set and secured into the panel 5i of a radio in any desired manner as by screws 52. This arcuate shaped dial 5G is providcd in order to permit removal of the dial for station adjustments without the removal of an adjusting knob and its associated indicator or pointer 55, a suitable aperture being provided in the set for accommodation of the dial. The dial 5!} includes an open slot or channel 53, intermed'ately of which is positioned an arcuate ring or flange 54 (see Fig. 6). The knob 55 is attached to a shaft 5'! connected in any desired conventional mannor to a condenser. The markers in this instance comprise U-shaped members 57, adapted to straddle the ring 54 and are held in selected position thereon as by set screws 58 or any other desired means. Obviously these markers may be pre-positioned according to a locality of expected use, or alternatively they may be readily set and adjusted by loosening the set screws 58. The open channel or slot 53 accomplishes the further purpose of making the inserted markers clearly distinguishable in the dark by light from inside the panel 5| easily perceptible when the radlotubes are lighted.

Referring now to modification of Figs. 7-8, which is particularly adapted to be positioned upon a set after leaving the factory, an outside attachment, for rapid touch tuning on any set provided with semi-circular knob tuning system, a plate 753 is provided and includes an arcuate dial ii including an offset portion 72 raised from the face of the instrument panel. The extremities of member 'H are provided with slots 13 through which screws 74 may be set to hold the dial H in position on flange 76, the slots facilitating removal thereof. The customary knob '55 and pointer or indicator 76 are provided. The markers 17 in this instance are substantially U-shaped, as best indicated in Fig. 8, and are adapted to be frictionally engaged between the flange i0 and the dial H, the larger leg 18 of the two being positioned between the dial II and the flange ill and the outer or shorter leg, having a raised protuberance l9 thereon, being positioned on the outer side for engagement by pointer 16. The mode of inserting the markers on dial H is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. Obviously tightening of screws 14 will exert pressure on the legs 18 of markers and serve to hold the same in position.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9 a construction similar to Fig. 6 is shown but one which omits ring 5 3 (Fig. 6), the markers 60 being provided with screws 6| adapted to be engaged in an arcuate channel provided in the body of the dial, the channel being inserted in the panel 52 of the set, and secured in position against the flanges of said channel by means of a washer 63 and nut 64. Each marker 60 is preferably provided with a slightly curved portion at the juncture thereof with screw 6! to facilitate sliding of said markers to the right and left on the dial and prevent rotation thereof. This modified construction follows otherwise the same outlines of construction as Figs. 6-7 with the additional provision that markers can be readily slid from one position to another by loosening screw 6% and subsequently tightening the same in any new desired position.

Fig. 12 discloses a small supplementary marker or identification tag 66 constructed to be used in connection with touch tuning markers, the object being to identify individually each marker. Identification tag 66 is adapted to be held in position behind or above markers, as for eX- ample markers 653, and held in position by any appropriate means, suitable to individual requirement in connection with the different modifications of the device.

Referring now to the modification of Figs. and 11 there is provided a means to achieve clear breaks or clear spacings between markers, especially desirable on radio dials. This is particularly essential on dials of small size and between station ranges or the like very close together and generally known as crowded on a radio dial. In this modification of the device which, in a general way follows the lines of construction of Figs. 7-8, a completely circular dial 83 is provided in which important and frequently used stations, such as national networks and locals, are indicated with markers on the upper half circle, while other stations used only occasionally, often crowding each other, are reversed and indicated on the lower half circle dial.

It will be obvious that a double indicator 90 moving in a half circle clock-wise on the upper dial moves oppositely on the lower half circle and therefore its reading graduation will be in a different direction relative to the positioning of the markers. Fig. 10 discloses a knob 9| of special design flaring at its base into a flange fila provided with diminutive double indicators 90 providing for sturdier construction and coverage and protection of exposed parts.

Markers 92 are provided, of the same general type as markers Ti and are adapted to be set tightly in appropriate positions on the double dial 8d. The markers 92 and dial are fitted around a flanged sleeve 94 and secured in desired positions by screws 95 which, by exercising pressure on a circular plate 96 which is secured appropriately against markers 92, through a circular ring-plate 96a secures the markers against accidental movement.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that 6 there is herein provided an improved device for perception touch tuning, which accomplishes all the objects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

While in the foregoing description this device in its different modifications has been described with elements slightly varying in design and construction, it will be understood that these elements may be further modified and interchanged within the scope of the claims.

Additionally while the different modifications of the device herein described are in association with various types of circular dials the motion or rotation being effected about an axis perpendicular to the dial, it will be understood that it may be equally applicable to devices wherein the axis of rotation or motion is parallel to the dial and in any position relative to the same, and that this may further be utilized in devices wherein the movement of the control and dialing or tuning is effected or operated in a sub-' stantially straight line.

As various embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and various modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore described and shown, it is understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A wavelength tuning device of the character described comprising a dial, indicia thereon, indicating means associated with said dial including a feelable protruding edge, said indicating means being adjustable along the dial to indicate a desired indicia thereon, and actuating means having a pointer manually movable into contiguous cooperative relation with selected indicating means on said dial, said pointer having a portion cooperating with the feelable edge of said indicating means whereby the finger of an operator can detect by touch perception alinement of said protruding edge and pointer space to adjust the setting of said actuating means for turning to a desired station.

2. A wavelength tuning device of the character described comprising a tuning element, a plurality of adjustable indicating members mounted on said tuning element each comprising an upstanding edge adaptable to indicate the location of a desired setting on said tuning element, a tuning actuator including a pointer movable along a pathadjacent to and in cooperative relation with said indicating members, said pointer edge and the exposed upstanding edges of said indicating members lying in contiguous surfaces whereby said edges provide feelable elements adapted to indicate by touch perception alinementin said desired setting to b tuned, and releasable means for securing said movable indicating members on said device.

3. In a wavelength tuning device of the character described, a wave length indicator comprising in co-operative relation two feelable projecting edges extending outwards from the surrounding periphery of the device, one of said edges being movably positioned on a fixed part of said tuning device and a second edge mounted to be movable in the path of and in proximity to said first edge, said edges being adapted to provide tangible points for obtaining by touch perception alinement in accurate tuning to a desired predetermined length Wave, and means for securing said movably positioned edge in desired position on said device.

4. A tuning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the upstanding movable'edge and pointer extend from the periphery of said device and are spaced one behind the other for simultaneous radial access.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3 with the second one of said projecting edges being duplicated in the opposite periphery of the device for cooperation with a movably positioned edge remote from said first movably positioned edge.

6. A tuning device as set forth in claim 3 with the second one of said projecting edges duplicated in the opposite periphery of the device and forming part of an element substantially covering said device.

7. In a wavelength tuning device of the character described comprising a dial, indicia thereon, indicating means having a protruding edge and movably positioned on the device to indicate a desired indicia thereon, actuating tuning means including a feelable portion manually movable into cooperative relation with selected indicating means by touch, said dial including means defining at least one open track providing a sight opening, and said indicating means including portions engageable in such track, and means for securing said indicating means in selected position on said track.

8. In a wavelength tuning device of the character described comprising a dial having indicia thereon, indicating means provided with a protruding edge, said indicating means being removable, and movable with respect to the dial to indicate a desired indicia thereon, actuating tuning means comprising a pointer with a feelable portion manually movable into cooperative relation with selected indicating means by touch correlation of said pointer and edge, said dial including double slots defining a flange, and said indicating means including bifurcated members engageable on said flange, and means for securing said indicating means in selected position.

9. In a wavelength tuning device of the character described, a dial face, a supporting member having a slotted aperture therein, a marker having a protruding edge insertable in said aperture and movable therein to designate a desired setting, a coacting tuning actuator movable over said dial and having a protruding edge adapted to be juxtaposed to said first mentioned marker edge by touch perception, and means for releasably securing said first mentioned marker in a selected position in said aperture, said dial face being adapted to be secured to said supporting member in spaced relation to said aperture.

10. In a wavelength tuning device of the character described comprising a circumferential dial mounted concentrically to tuning shaft, a station marker rotatably movable around said shaft to designate a desired setting, a coacting station pointer movable rotatably with said shaft over said dial and adapted to be juxtaposed to said station marker, and means for releasably securing and adjusting said markers in pre-selected position with respect to said dial.

11. In a wave length indicating device comprising in combination two projecting edges in relative correspondence with each other each extending from and over its surrounding surface, one of said edges being movable and adapted to be adjustably positioned on said device as a means to indicate a predetermined station or wave length, and the second projecting edge constituting a pointer, movable in proximity in the path of said first projecting edge, said projecting edges providing tangible feelable means of detecting alinement of said edges for tuning by touch perception with any such predetermined station on said device.

12. In a wavelength tuning device comprising a plurality of upstanding feelable markers movably and removably positioned on said device to indicate desired tuning positions thereon, actuating means having feelable edge juxtaposable to said upstanding markers and movable into cooperative relation with any one of said markers to detect by touch perception juxtaposition of said elements.

13. A wave length tuning device comprising a fixed circumferential base, a plurality of station identification markers positioned upon the surface and around the periphery of said base, said markers being movable manually around said base, each marker providing means to indicate a predetermined station setting around said base and comprising a protruding edge, a tuning actuator connected with a control element and movable on an axis concentric to said circumferential base and comprising a station pointer having at least one edge extending outwardly from the periphery of said actuator, said actuator substantially covering the surface of said base and said protruding marker edges and pointer edge providing tangible feeling points for detection by touch perception alinement of said pointer edge with any one of said marker edges for tuning to any determined station on said base.

' GUSTAV J. VAN LENNEP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,523,305 Spiro Jan. 13, 1925 1,689,405 Schaefer Oct. 30, 1928 1,815,635 Peterson July 21, 1931 1,977,397 Morel Oct. 16, 1934 2,069,627 Schwarzhaupt Feb. 2, 1937 2,305,132 Bradford Dec. 15, 1942 2,378,156 Oishei et a1. June 12, 1945 

